my new bike/chari and I hit the pavement in Tokyo

Around the (new) neighbourhood

This weekend I finally walked around my new hood. I sat and had a quiet lunch at Freshness Burger and this was my view. The sign in the front says, bilingually, no bike parking on the streets of Nakano. Note the bikes parked behind it.

It was my first time to walk around Nakano Broadway. Well, I passed through once several years ago. I won’t be short of socks here.

and they aren’t kidding. They really DO have all kinds.

In the evening we fit in a little Karaoke. I haven’t been in ages, and I forgot how absolutely fun Keita and Akiko are to sing with.

But in a decade or more, my song selection hasn’t changed much. Ten points if you can name the song…

In surprisingly good spirits this morning considering the late night out, I rode to Shimokitazawa to meet Yuki. This picture does nothing to covey to you how hot and sweaty and humid it was out. It was actually pretty gross. But Mabel held up well, even if I looked a mess by the time we arrived.

Yuki had picked a wonderful cafe. Its name is uninspiring, Deli & Baking, Co. But the menu was fabulous and I had a rather hard time picking.

But settled on this deli combo. I kind of think I really wanted the fruit pancakes but this seemed healthier.

Yum!

And the we shopped the store of Shimokita and I found several (eek!) dresses that fit me and came home with me. It’s so hard to find anything that fits here, so it’s hard to turn down a good find. And plus, I need some cool summer things for the beach next week on Sadogashima!!! SO SO EXCITED!!!!!

I’m smitten.

Last year I decided to ditch the train in Tokyo and go by bike. I bought a Bridgestone 3 speed and off I went. What I didn't realize was that I would become completely smitten by both riding, and bikes themselves. Now I'm back in Toronto (for the time being, and I still keep that Bridgestone in Tokyo for when I am there) and still riding, and somehow acquiring bicycles.
I'm now up to six: the original Bridgestone (Mabel), a Danish Viva Bellisimo (Maru), a 1966 CCM single speed cruiser (Grover), a fold up I've had for several years (Paris), and a Fleetwing Deluxe Mixte 10-speed (Florence), and now a 3 speed Raleigh Sports I rescued from being dumped (Riley)
To me, these are my adventures...

Maru, a Vivo Bellissimo

Grover

My Paris (almost)

This is almost a photo of my fold up bike. She is a bright shiny girl for 9 years old, and works hard.

Mabel, my Beaute

This is my stable work ride, my Bridgestone 2010 Beaute. No, really, that's the model name, I didn't name my bike that. She's a strong work horse, but a heavy girl, and currently stuck in Tokyo for a bit